US Strikes Iranian Tankers in Deterrence Operation
US military forces launched strikes on Iranian tankers under a new 'tanker for tanker' policy approved by President Trump. The move aims to deter further attacks on commercial ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz. US officials said around 100 targets were attacked during Tuesday's strikes, including IRGC air defense sites, radar systems, and mine-laying capabilities.
The Iranian government tankers were anchored off Iran's coast north of the US naval blockade line when they were hit by US drones launching missiles at their engine rooms. The attacks also targeted several US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq, as well as a base in Erbil in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
A US official said the strikes degraded Iran's attack capabilities in the strait and 'bought at least a month' of lowered threat levels for commercial ships. The US forces continued guiding ships through the strait on Tuesday, with around 40 ships transiting in and out, carrying millions of barrels of oil.
The Iranian government reported civilian casualties, claiming one US strike hit a wedding ceremony in the town of Kuhestak, killing at least four people and wounding at least 35. However, the CENTCOM spokesman denied targeting civilians, saying 'the US military never targets civilians, unlike the IRGC.'